April 8, 2008, Introduced by Rep. LeBlanc and referred to the Committee on Military and Veterans Affairs and Homeland Security.
A bill to establish a health care insurance program for
veterans; to provide for qualifications and limitations of this
program; and to provide for certain powers and duties of certain
state agencies.
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ENACT:
Sec. 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as the
"veterans health care act".
Sec. 2. As used in this act:
(a) "Department" means the department of military and veterans
affairs.
(b) "Veteran" means that term as defined in section 2(b) of
the veterans military pay act, 1947 PA 12, MCL 35.922.
(c) "VHA" means the federal veterans health administration.
Sec. 3. The veterans health care insurance program is
established in the department. The department shall administer the
program. In administering the program, the department may consult
with and obtain the assistance of other departments, including, but
not limited to, the department of community health.
Sec. 4. A veteran who meets the qualifications enumerated in
section 5 shall be eligible for health insurance coverage under
this act. The cost of the coverage to the veteran shall be $40.00
per month, plus applicable co-pays, payable as directed by the
department.
Sec. 5. A veteran is qualified for health insurance coverage
under this act if he or she meets all of the following criteria:
(a) The veteran is between the ages of 19 and 64.
(b) The veteran has not been covered under a policy of health
insurance for at least 180 days before the veteran applies for
coverage under this act.
(c) The veteran is ineligible for coverage under the VHA or
the medical assistance program administered under the social
welfare act, 1939 PA 280, MCL 400.31 to 400.119b.
(d) The veteran was not dishonorably discharged from service.
(e) The veteran's income is not greater than 150% of the
federal poverty guidelines published annually in the federal
register by the United States department of health and human
services under its authority to revise the poverty line under 42
USC 9902.
(f) The veteran applies for coverage on a form approved by the
department.
Sec. 6. The department shall implement the health care
insurance program no later than 180 days after the effective date
of this act.